A.G.
Aaron Gray Returns With High Expectations
By Tony DeFazio

The big seven-footer sat in Jamie Dixon's office well into the early morning hours. The Pitt star faced a fast-approaching deadline to let the NBA know whether or not he intended to apply for their June draft. Almost certain to be a first-round pick-and a consequently a millionaire-he had spent many days over the past three months leaning toward entering the draft, only to wake up the next morning feeling like he wanted to remain in college. Finally, late Sunday afternoon-almost three months to the day after his Panthers ended their 2005-06 season with a second round loss to Bradley in the NCAA tournament-Aaron Gray decided he wanted to come back to Pitt.

Ten days later, Gray watched as Connecticut's Hilton Armstrong was selected 12th overall by the New Orleans Hornets, later signing a four year contract worth over $8.5 million. A few months prior, in their only college meeting as starters, Gray completely outplayed Armstrong, scoring 23 points and collecting 12 rebounds while Armstrong fouled out with just 5 points.

If Armstrong went 12th, where would Gray have been drafted? How much money had he left on the table?

"Sure, all that money was sitting there," Gray acknowledged as he prepared to start his senior season. "But I thought that I still had more that I could do to help the University of Pittsburgh. I just didn't feel it was my time to leave."

There were many factors in Gray's decision to return for his senior season, but chief among them were his teammates and what they believe they can accomplish this winter.

While he was trying to decide what to do, Gray talked to each of his teammates to lay out his goals should he decide to return to school. He wanted to make sure they were committed to the same goals he was.

"Every one of them looked me in the eye," Gray said, and he was happy with what his teammate had to say. "We've got a great returning class, and obviously things didn't end so great last year. But I've learned so much that I feel like I can help this team even more this year, and make myself a better basketball player in the process. All that will help prepare me for the next level."

Another, more simple reason he chose to return - though no less important - is that Aaron Gray is having fun.

"Most of all I still wanted to be a kid - I didn't want to have to grow up yet," he says with a laugh. "I can still be a college kid here with not too many responsibilities: play basketball and go to school. I can still have fun here. Once you go the next level it's a job."

PUTTING FORTH THE EFFORT

For someone who claims he's not ready for a real job, Gray certainly takes his role as Pitt's starting center seriously. He arrived at Pitt four years ago as a raw seven-footer with a lot of work to do just to become a legitimate Big East player, let alone an NBA prospect.

"Some people questioned why I even put him on the floor his first season," said Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon. "Sometimes people put limitations on guys. People put limitations on Aaron coming out of high school, but he didn't and we didn't, and now we're fortunate. He's done it with hard work."

His work ethic has become somewhat legendary. Former Pitt assistant Barry "Slice" Rohrssen, now head coach at Manhattan, was Gray's position coach for three years at Pitt. Rohrssen loves to tell the story of when the team returned to campus after losing to Oklahoma State in the Sweet 16 in 2004.

"The guys are all going their own way - I mean, the season had just ended," Rohrssen explains. "So I see Aaron coming out of our locker room and entering the weight room, completely changed into his practice gear. I said, 'Aaron what are you doing?' And he said, 'Coach Slice, next season starts now.'"

That's how Gray reinvented himself from a slow, out-of-shape freshman who played just 12 minutes of Big East action into a dominating force who averaged a double-double and led the nation's best conference in rebounding as a junior.

"From a coaching standpoint, there are players who shoot too much, there are players who dribble too much, there are even some players who pass too much," said Rohrssen. "You know what? You can never have a player who rebounds too much. To lead an elite conference in rebounding is a very good indicator of what he can do to help a basketball team."

WHAT'S NEXT?

Despite the fact that Gray probably would have been a first-round pick, there are several aspects of his game that need improving. That was obvious in his most recent game. In the Panthers early exit from last year's NCAAs, Gray was outplayed by Bradley's Patrick O'Bryant. Gray was in constant foul trouble, played only 22 minutes, scored 12 points and grabbed four rebounds - both well below his season averages of 13.9 and 10.5.

"Last year was such a learning experience for me. I went from playing 5-10 minutes a game my sophomore year to playing 35 minutes against UConn's front line," he explains. "It was a huge transition. I really didn't know what to expect. I didn't know how my body would handle it but now I do. I know what I need to do to be able to perform well, especially later in the season. I tailed off a little at the end last year. I need to finish better around the basket and I need to be in better condition. Even though I had a good season, I still feel that there are so many aspects of my game I can improve."

NBA scout Marty Blake says Gray was a good prospect last season because of the dearth of quality big men in the game today. He thinks Gray could have played in the league this year, but he's pleased he came back to school.

"In an era where there are very few quality centers, Gray's one," Blake said. "But he has to work on his quickness. He's a good scorer and very physical, but he needs to polish his game."

Gray told his teammates that his goals for this year were substantial, and they have similar aspirations. But Pitt players are hardly the only ones with high expectations.

Big East coaches voted Pitt as the team to beat this season and selected Gray as the league's preseason player of the year. The ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll opened with Pitt ranked fifth. Clearly, the college basketball world is expecting a lot from this Pitt team and its star center.

Can Gray carry the Panthers to a Big East championship and deep into the NCAA tournament?

"That sounds good in theory, but with a big guy someone's got to get him the ball, someone's got to bring it up the floor, someone's got to guard on the perimeter, so I don't think anybody's relying on one player," said Dixon. "But he can be a very good offensive player and even a better defensive player and that's what we're really working with him on."

Gray says he's not concerning himself with the NBA until that time comes.

"I'm not going to be thinking every night, 'Did I help or hurt myself in the NBA Draft? Do I need to show the scouts something?'" Gray says. "I think that's how players get caught and end up playing worse. I'm just going to go out there and help my team win."

He only cares about two things: working hard and winning.

"I think this is going to be a really exciting year. Obviously we've set our goals real high, but that's what's fun about playing basketball."

Oh yeah - he cares about having fun, too.

Tony DeFazio is the editor of the Pittsburgh Sports Report. Tell him what you think at tdefazio @ psrpt.com.